FIFA snub Zambia's request for Nigeria replay

FIFA have rebuffed the Zambia Football Association's request for a review of the officiating during their national team's away World Cup qualifier against Nigeria played on October 7 2017.

Zambia, who lost the game 1-0 to bow out of the qualifying race for the Russia World Cup, appealed to FIFA to review the performance of Botswanan referee Joshua Bondo in the game which took place in Uyo.

Zambia succumbed to Alex Iwobi's strike late on, but they were unhappy that Bondo ruled their 23rd-minute effort out for offside.

However, in a written response seen by KweséESPN, Deputy Secretary to FIFA's Disciplinary Committee, Julien Deux, said Zambia did not provide proof beyond doubt to warrant a review of the offside decision.

"In this context, we refer your association to article 15, paragraph 6 of the regulations of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, which clearly stipulate that no protest may be made about the referee's decision regarding facts connected with play. Such decisions are final and not subject to appeal.

"Having said that, and for the sake of good order, we would like to emphasise that on the basis of the documentation and information currently in our possession, there is no evidence of any infringement of the applicable regulation by the referees of the match in question," reads the letter dated October 17.

"In light of the above, please be informed that the Disciplinary Committee will refrain from reviewing the decision taken by the match officials of the above-mentioned match."

The national team's attention will now turn to their World Cup qualifying dead rubber against Cameroon on November 11, as well as the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations campaign, where they've been paired with Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau and Namibia.